Good evening High Desert Families,

This is Principal Dave Kubela with this week’s Monday Message. It’s hard to believe, but we are down to our last three weeks of school. The staff is finishing plans for students to turn in books, collect any belongings left at the school and also plans to celebrate our 8th graders. Look for details by Friday via phone call and email.

We want to share with you our video messages for the week. Enjoy clips from our latest spirit day all about our High Desert students’ appreciation for their teachers! We love the spirit and hope you all continue to be a part of these special days. Here is the Youtube link to watch the video: 

https://youtu.be/MtXc1nXUd-g

This week is classified staff appreciation week. Submit a photo or video of you with a shoutout to the staff on our campus how much you appreciate them. Tell us what you will remember or love the most about all of the staff members on our campus. This includes the aides out at lunch, aides in your classroom, cafeteria ladies who are still serving us lunch, office staff, librarian, maintenance, and custodians. We would love to have all of you help us celebrate all of the staff who help out on our campus. Please submit your photo or video on our FlipGrid by Friday, May 22nd:  

https://flipgrid.com/112f3c6f

High Desert Teachers are back with a new Student Shout Out - Episode 6. This week, for teacher appreciation week, the teachers are remembering former teachers who inspired them to become an educator. We also gave a special shout out to our favorite teacher, who is retiring, Mr. Larry Speelman: 

https://youtu.be/ZXcmCmKfJEM

Lastly, we want to share with you our Virtual 3rd Quarter Medal of Honor Awards Messages. We are so proud of all of these students and, although their assembly was canceled, we want to be sure they are recognized for all of their amazing character: https://youtu.be/lvtg8F03OsY

After School sports Information:

Please note that all fall sports programs are still to be determined due to the current pandemic.

• Attention all incoming Vasquez H.S. 9th graders interested in running Cross Country.  Coach McKnight has included a Parent Interest Letter.  See attached letter. 
  Information for Vasquez H.S. Football and Girls Volleyball for incoming 9th graders will be available soon.  Keep watching the Monday Message for updates.
  If you are a High Desert student interested in trying out for Volleyball in the fall, please reach out to Coach Herman.  See attached flyer.   
• Information on Academic Eligibility for Vasquez and High Desert AthleticsAcademic:
  • Eligibility for 8th grade students interested in participating in a fall sport at Vasquez, which includes Football, Girls Volleyball, and Cross Country, will be based on 2nd Semester Spring 2020 Grades.  Students are required to have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be eligible.
  • Academic Eligibility for incoming 6th, 7th and 8th grade students interested in participating in a fall sport at High Desert, which includes Boys and Girls Volleyball and Cross Country will be based on 2nd Semester Spring 2020 Grades. Students are required to have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be eligible.
  • Thank you to all of the parents and students who make High Desert an amazing place to work and to learn!

Have a great week!

David Kubela

Principal, High Desert School

Good evening High Desert Families,

We want to share with you our video messages for the week. Enjoy clips from our latest spirit day all about our High Desert students’ appreciation for their teachers! We love the spirit and hope you all continue to be a part of these special days. Here is the Youtube link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/MtXc1nXUd-g

This week is classified staff appreciation week. Submit a photo or video of you with a shoutout to the staff on our campus. Tell us what you will remember or love the most about all of the staff members on our campus. This includes the aides out at lunch, aides in your classroom, cafeteria ladies who are still serving us lunch, office staff, and custodians. We would love to have all of you help us celebrate all of the staff who help out on our campus. Please submit your photo or video on our FlipGrid by Friday, May 15th.

https://flipgrid.com/112f3c6f

High Desert Teachers are back with a new Student Shout Out - Episode 6. This week, the teachers for teacher appreciation week, teachers are remembering former teachers who inspired them to become an educator. We also gave a special shout out to our favorite teacher, who is retiring, Mr. Larry Speelman. 

https://youtu.be/ZXcmCmKfJEM

Lastly, we want to share with your our Virtual 3rd Quarter Medal of Honor Awards Messages. We are so proud of all of these students and although their assembly was canceled we want to be sure they are recognized for all of their amazing character. 

https://youtu.be/lvtg8F03OsY

Thank you to all of the parents and students who make High Desert an amazing place to work and to learn! 

Have a great week!

Hello High Desert School Community,

This is Principal Dave Kubela with this week’s Monday Message. I have had a great first week, having attended a Booster Club meeting and my first High Desert faculty meeting. I was also able to attend two Zoom classes: Enriched History and ASB. It was great seeing our teachers and students in action. As I mentioned last week, I know these are difficult times but I am impressed with the community response and the work that is being done to create the best instructional situation given the circumstances.

With the school year winding down, I will be working with the school staff and district to develop plans to return books and retrieve personal items from the school. We will also be working to create plans to celebrate our 8th grader’s promotion. As the situation remains fluid, we will get information out as soon as possible. 

Distance Learning

For academics, all assignments are posted in Google Classroom by the teachers. Please check in with your child to make sure that they are keeping up with their Distance Learning assignments. If you aren't sure, please e-mail your child's teacher or check Aeries.

Athletics Information

• Attention all incoming Vasquez H.S. 9th graders interested in running Cross Country.  Coach McKnight has included a Parent Interest Letter.  See attached letter.
• Attention all incoming Vasquez H.S. 9th graders interested in playing football for Vasquez, Coach Esquer has attached information.  There is a parent meeting scheduled tentatively for June 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the Vasquez Library. See attached letter. 
• Attention all incoming Vasquez H.S. 9th graders interested in playing  H.S. Girls Volleyball for incoming 9th graders will be available soon.  Keep watching the Monday Message for updates.
• If you are a High Desert student interested in trying out for Volleyball in the fall, please reach out to Coach Herman.  See attached flyer.    
• Information on Academic Eligibility for Vasquez and High Desert Athletics:
• Academic Eligibility for 8th grade students interested in participating in a fall sport at Vasquez, which includes Football, Girls Volleyball, and Cross Country, will be based on 2nd Semester Spring 2020 Grades.  Students are required to have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be eligible. 
• Academic Eligibility for 6th and 7th grade students interested in participating in a fall sport at High Desert, which includes Boys and Girls Volleyball and Cross Country will be based on 2nd Semester Spring 2020 Grades.   Students are required to have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA to be eligible. 
• Academic Eligibility for incoming 5th grade students interested in participating in a fall sport at High Desert, which includes Boys and Girls Volleyball and Cross Country (limited races) will be waived until 1st quarter grades.

David Kubela

Principal, High Desert School

Hello High Desert School Community,

My name is David Kubela and I am the new Principal of High Desert School. I would normally spend my first days meeting everyone in person but, as these are unique times, I will have to do so in alternative formats. Schools are communities and have their own traditions and customs. I am eager to learn about our school community.

A little about me - I have been a principal the last 12 years at South Pasadena Middle School. I have also served as an elementary assistant principal in Burbank Unified, a ELD coordinator and elementary teacher for South Pasadena Unified. I started my educational career as an elementary teacher in Lynwood Unified. I am married and have two daughters, the last of which graduated from college in December, and have lived in South Pasadena the last 25 years. I am a huge Dodger, Laker, UCLA Bruin, and Ram fan. I am also an avid reader (mostly history related topics) and a music fan, having collected over a thousand LP’s and CDs over the years.

I appreciate that these have been difficult and unprecedented times, but I am impressed how the schools have come together to work to get support for our students. I know these tough times will pass and I am looking forward to meeting everyone in person soon.

For academics, all assignments are posted in Google Classroom by the teachers. Please check in with your child to make sure that they are keeping up with their Distance Learning assignments. If you aren't sure, please e-mail your child's teacher or check Aeries. 

Enjoy clips from our latest spirit day all about our High Desert students’ hobbies! We love the spirit and hope you all continue to be a part of these special days. Here is the Youtube link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/xEDo-lw6KR0

Our next ASB Spirit day is Teacher Appreciation! This week is teacher appreciation week. Submit a photo or video of you with a shoutout to your teacher(s). Tell us what you will remember or love the most about your teachers. We would love to have all of you help up celebrate the teachers this week. Please submit your photo or video on our FlipGrid by Friday, May 8th! 

https://flipgrid.com/66075fe6

High Desert Teachers are back with a new Student Shout Out - Episode 5. This week, the teachers are remembering their classrooms at school and sharing their virtual “at home” classrooms.

https://youtu.be/V7SnFRYjK0Q

May the 4th be with all of you this week,

David Kubela

Principal, High Desert School

Good evening High Desert Families, this is your Monday Message.

High Desert's new principal, Mr. David Kubela begins on Friday, May 1st. We look forward to him joining our staff.

If you are picking up items from any of our campuses or district office, please follow all CDC guidelines including wearing a face mask and signs that are posted outside.

We have had great participation in Distance Learning so far and are really proud of all of the students who are doing their best and actively participating in ongoing learning. For academics, all assignments are posted in Google Classroom by the teachers. Please check in with your child to make sure that they are keeping up with their Distance Learning assignments. If you aren't sure, please e-mail your child's teacher or check Aeries. 

Enjoy this Spirit Pet Day Video for High Desert! We love the spirit and hope you all continue to be a part of these special days. Here is the Youtube link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/6zswugQpe2M 

Our next ASB Spirit day is Hobby Day! Submit a photo or video of you doing your hobby at home. If you can't go out and do your hobby right now, send a photo of you doing your hobby before quarantine or tell us about your favorite hobby on Flipgrid. We would love to learn more about all of our High Desert Hawks' Hobbies this week. Please submit your photo or video on our FlipGrid by Friday, May 1st! 

https://flipgrid.com/67d8375d

High Desert Teachers are back with a new Student Shout Out - Episode 4. This week, the teachers are thinking amazing thoughts and reflecting on life now and after quarantine.

https://youtu.be/Mlevy-wTQdA

Thank you for listening and have a good evening!

Good evening High Desert Families, this your Monday Message.

High Desert’s next Spirit Day is Pet Day. Take a picture of you and your pet. If you don’t have a pet, that’s okay! Show us your favorite stuffed animal or draw a picture of a pet you wish you had. Be sure to send in those videos by Friday so you can be added to the FlipGrid. Come on everyone, show us your High Desert spirit! 

Upload your school spirit video here!

https://flipgrid.com/36c377b8

High Desert teachers are back with our HDS Student Shout Out Episode 3. For this episode, we did a collaborative take on Jon Corippo's EduProtocol - the Emoji Power Paragraph. Special thanks to Mr. Speelman for inspiring us with his love of music.

https://youtu.be/VL914KuoeqU

I hope this finds you all safe and healthy. I know this has been hard on all of you but we pray that you continue to find peace and know that you are doing the right thing for your family and your community. 

Thank you for listening and have a good evening. 

Good evening High Desert Families, this is your Monday Message.

This week is our regularly scheduled Spring Break. We encourage you to take some time off from your regular routine and enjoy the beautiful weather and time with your family. 

As you know, fitness is very important for our physical and mental health. Our superintendent, Mr. King, will be hosting Wednesday Wellness Workouts every Wednesday morning at 9:00 am. We encourage and invite students and all family members to join Mr. King in helping to keep our bodies and minds in good health. More information on how to participate in Wednesday Wellness Workouts will be coming soon! 

During distance learning, our 5th graders are learning about fractions, writing, and family history through the building of a cookbook.  

Here is the link to watch a video about the 5th Grade Cooking Project:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BROykl4XELI

We want to thank all of the students, parents, and teachers for making the first two weeks of Distance Learning a success.

Thank you for listening, have a good evening, and a great week off.

Good evening High Desert Families, this is your Monday Message.

Many of you have contacted the office to correct your email addresses and phone numbers. We appreciate this in order for the teachers to send communication to you in a timely manner. If you have not received communication from your child’s teacher, please email me or our school secretary, Samantha MacConnell with your correct information.

Parents, please remind your child that Chromebooks that are on loan from the district office are monitored by our district filter. This is a security system that monitors and records searches and alerts our technology team when a Chromebook is being used for non-educational purposes. Inappropriate searches are recorded and linked to your child’s login and password. Please monitor the use of the Chromebook and ensure that it is being used for educational purposes only. The district has received several alerts and parents will be contacted as per the Acceptable Use Agreement that was signed.  

With the extended school closure lasting until the end of the school year, we understand that there will be many questions about picking up your child’s personal items and instruction. We will contact you in regards to picking up your child’s personal items from their classroom and the locker room. This will need to be an organized and systematic process in order to ensure the safety of the staff and all of you. Distance Learning will continue and you will continue to receive communication from your teacher regarding your child’s instruction. Again, please make sure we have your most updated email address and phone number so that you receive all information. We also understand that there will be many questions about end of the year activities such as 8th Grade Promotion.  We will continue to have discussions as a district about what options we have and please know that we don't want to cancel any of these events, and still want to hold live events to whatever extent possible.  Please be patient as we work through this situation and allow time to give us a better idea of what will be possible.

We loved seeing your High Desert Spirit and hearing your cheers! Let’s continue to support each other again by joining us on Friday to share about your favorite holiday or day of the year! Wear the colors that are your favorite and tell us about your favorite day or holiday on Flipgrid Friday. 

Here is the link to film your shout out about your favorite day or holiday:

https://flipgrid.com/617b3d07

Here is the link to see this past week's Spirit Day video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMHDeLAjUEw

We want to give a special shout out to our amazing Mr. Speelman for his original song, The Virus Song that is featured in HDS Student Shout Out Episode 2. Check it out!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiANrUWAHU4

Thank you for all you are doing for your kids. We know this is a difficult time and you are doing your best. Make time for yourselves to enjoy your family and make some happy memories. Have a good evening!

Good evening parents and students.  This is Mr. King, superintendent of the AADUSD.  The message from Governor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent of Instruction, Tony Thurmond, and LACOE Superintendent, Dr. Debra Duardo, has been consistent over the past 48 hours.  They have all recommended that schools across the state remain closed through the remainder of the school year. 

The decision to close a school rests within the scope of the local school board and superintendent, at least at this point in time.  I am in agreement that keeping our schools closed to the public for the remainder of the school year is the most prudent thing to do for the protection of our students, staff, families, and community members. 

This is an extremely difficult recommendation I will be making to the Board of Education next Thursday evening.  Pending Board approval of my recommendation we will continue to provide instruction for the remainder of the school year through distance learning.  This is not an early start to a summer break.  Our teachers, administrators, and support staff have worked extremely hard to ensure your student’s education continues. 

In Los Angeles County the number of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus continues to rise each day.  It is my opinion that we must continue to do our part by practicing social distancing whenever and wherever possible. 

Students, our teachers are here for you.  Please know you can request to speak to your teacher anytime.  They will make time for you as they always have.  Parents, the same applies to you.  We know how difficult this is.  Many of our teachers have their own children at home and understand firsthand the challenges you are facing. 

While I know many of us are angry, hurt, sad, or frustrated that all the amazing activities that normally take place at the end of the school year are now cancelled, at least any live version of those activities.  We have to find new and innovative ways to celebrate student successes through the use of technology such as live video streaming.  We owe that to our students. 

Thank you, be safe, be healthy, and have a good evening.

Good evening High Desert Families, this is your Monday Message for the week of March 30th.

All students should have received communication from their teacher regarding the next phase of Distance Learning. If you have not, please email me so that we can ensure you receive all communication. Remember that this new instruction is not meant to fill the entire day. Please use your teacher’s recommended pacing guide to help with when and how long assignments should take.

If you are hearing this message, and not receiving it by email, please let us know. There may be links in this message that you will need to access. I am also posting messages on our school website and our High Desert Parents page. Please be sure to check your SPAM box also, as sometimes good mail gets sent there.

If you are still in need of a device to access instruction and did not request one through the survey, please email me as soon as possible. The final day to pick up a Chromebook will be tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st  between 9:00-11:00 am at the district office bus loop. Chromebooks will only be issued to students that are on the list. There are no walk-up requests. Just a reminder that you can access all materials on any device, such as a laptop or tablet. Your device does not need to be a Chromebook. Thank you so much for all of your cooperation in making the Chromebook pick-up process go so smoothly today.

This Friday, High Desert ASB would like to have a Spirit Day. How will we do this, you ask? Well, wear your High Desert spirit wear or wear anything green, black or white and take a picture. Click on the link to upload your picture or video to our grid. Let's show our school spirit and pride and support each other. Remember, High Desert students rock! 

Here is the link to upload your picture:

https://flipgrid.com/c66df138

I hope you are all continuing to stay safe and enjoying this extended time with your families. Have a good evening and thank you for listening

Tomorrow we are excited to kick off our first day of distance learning.
I am very proud of our students and parents. I appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility. Our teachers have worked very hard this past week to prepare distance learning lessons. We are here to support you through this challenging time and ensure your child's education continues.
#aadusdstaygold #actonschooldistrict #aadusd #firesidechat

Mr. Larry King

AADUSD Superintendent

Please click the link below to see the video.

https://youtu.be/S28sFaVZPMA

Good evening High Desert Families. This is a special message about Distance Learning.

Our teachers have been working hard preparing lessons and activities for their students to begin Distance Learning. Please watch for communication via e-mail or Google Classroom from your child’s teacher for directions and information on what this looks like. Again, we completely understand that this is a new educational format for many families. Please reach out to your teacher if you need any clarification or further directions. All of our teachers have office hours where they can be contacted and parents and students can speak directly with their teacher. These hours and days vary by teacher so please read the communication from your child’s teacher. 

Students now have the ability to take AR tests at home. Students should already have their login information and should know how to access this website. 

If you requested a Chromebook for your child, they will be available for pick at the district office in the bus lane, on Monday at 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Only families who requested Chromebooks through the survey will be assigned a Chromebook. Please follow these directions for pickup:

Do not come if you are sick or are feeling sick

Remain in your car and form a line in the bus lane

Do not get out of your car, this is a drive-through pick up

Please bring your own pen to sign the Acceptable Use Agreement form 

If you have difficulty accessing WiFi around your home and you have checked out a district Chromebook, WiFi is available at Meadowlark, High Desert, and Vasquez High School. The gates will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm for wifi access. For High Desert, please park in the bus loop or in the parking lot on the side closest to the office for the strongest signal. 

Again, we thank you very much for your patience and understanding as we begin this new process. We are all working hard to do our best to ensure our students continue learning. Please encourage your child to work on their assignments, but also take time to enjoy the extended family time. We wish you all well and will continue to update you as we receive information. 

Together with your child, please enjoy this fun video created by HDS Teachers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuFxkWeni1I&t=63s

Have a good evening and thank you for listening.

Good evening High Desert Families. This is a special message about Distance Learning.

Your teachers have been working hard on planning and creating lessons for our kids. I understand the concern that some of you may feel because your child is not learning in a traditional format. Under the circumstances, it is not possible to create an educational format that resembles what we used to have. All of you, as parents, might be working from home for your regular job, cooking meals, cleaning and caring for one or more children. These are all facets of life that our teachers are taking into consideration when developing instructional lessons for our students. Please know that there will not be an expectation for our parents to do step-by-step lessons that fill every minute of the school day. There will be a lot of thought and consideration during the creation of our Distance Learning and the reality of what our parents and students can access and complete. This is an unprecedented time, where we can also take advantage of “natural” learning experiences. Experiences such as playing games. All kinds of games such as board games, outdoor games, indoor games, even pretend games! Cooking and baking with your kids is not only fun, but exposes them to a lot of math and language skills. Arts and crafts develop a different side of your brain and boosts creativity in kids. Dancing and singing are also fun outlets for releasing energy, teaching rhythm and coordination and are just fun to do! Teachers are excited to include these experiences in their Distance Learning schedules because these are activities that teachers don’t always have time for during the traditional school day. 

In order to provide equal access, the district will be sending out a survey asking parents about the technology that is available in your homes. Please complete the survey as soon as possible and no later than Friday, March 27th at 4:00pm. The survey can also be found in the following link:

https://forms.gle/AkEeU4Tki2cWxyFe9

Again, we thank you for your patience and understanding as we move towards ensuring our students continue to learn. Further details will be available from each grade level and/or teacher when Distance Learning is pushed out to all of our students. Please make sure the school has your most updated email address and contact information.

Thank you for listening and have a good evening. 

Pandemic Independent Study Materials for Students by Grade Level

Good evening. This is Mr. King, superintendent of the AADUSD.  I want you to know that my heart goes out to each and every one of you.  Some of you are being affected financially because of layoffs or not being compensated while your place of work or business is non-operational.  Some of you are having daycare issues, which I will speak about shortly. I walk through empty classrooms and schools and I miss our students tremendously.  I know many of our students miss seeing their friends and teachers. We will get through this. I promise. We are here for all of you. My heart goes out to the friends and families of those who have been affected by the coronavirus.

At this time I would like to inform you that we are in alignment and in agreement with the recommendation of our County Superintendent, Dr. Debra Duardo.  Dr. Duardo has recommended that LA County schools remain closed through Tuesday, May 5, 2020. We have composed a team made up of representatives from our teacher association, classified school employee association, and administrators.  I will be updating this group each week as many times as needed to ensure we have solid plans in place as we have done this past week and a half.

Sunny Days childcare will be in operation beginning Monday, March 23, 2020.  There are specific guidelines that childcare facilities must adhere to during this time.  Please refer to our website for further information. Additionally, we have provided meals to anyone who is under 18 years of age.  This information can be found on our website as well.  

I would like to give a very special thank you to our Distance Learning Instructional Team.  This team is composed of administrators and teachers. They have done an absolutely amazing job of evaluating, recommending, and providing online resources for learning as well as packets that were available for pick up this week.  I will be taking recommendations from this team to ensure our students have every opportunity to learn at home. We are having discussions about video conferencing, “office hours” for teachers, and virtual staff meetings, for example.  

I will be preparing further communication this weekend with the use of video technology.  As soon as that is available the links will be posted on our website and social media accounts.  We will continue to conduct business such as board meetings, payroll, food services, and instruction so students may continue to learn and grow.  Please know that on behalf of Board President Mr. Ken Pfalzgraf and all of our Board Trustees care deeply about our students and their families. We will continue to do everything possible to put their health and safety first.  I will continue to provide community updates each week. Please be safe and have a good evening.